Controversial attitude of Paolo Guerrero sparks football debate in Peru

In the past few hours, the renowned Peruvian footballer Paolo Guerrero has been subject to harsh criticism for his attitude during the last match of César Vallejo against Alianza Lima, corresponding to the first round of the Clausura Tournament of the Liga 1 2024. In this match, Guerrero, who was on the bench as a substitute, refused to enter the field when coach Guillermo Salas decided to give him the opportunity to play. These events sparked a series of comments from journalist Magaly Medina, known for her direct and outspoken opinions. In her program Magaly TV La Firme, the 'Urraca' did not hesitate to criticize Guerrero's attitude, questioning his commitment, professionalism, and lack of humility. Medina pointed out that the player seemed to think of himself as similar to Lionel Messi, when in reality he is just surnamed Guerrero. The journalist also compared Guerrero to other great footballers who, according to her, show more humility and patriotic fervor when representing their country in international competitions. In this regard, she emphasized the forward's performance in the recent Copa América, where he failed to stand out positively. Additionally, Magaly Medina highlighted the importance of players' dedication and commitment to their teams and their country, praising the attitude of players like Messi, whom she considers examples of true love for the jersey and for representing their nation in international tournaments. On the other hand, César Vallejo's fans present at the Mansiche stadium in Trujillo were surprised and disappointed when Guerrero refused to enter the field. Despite the coach calling him to join the match, the player argued that he did not feel fit to play, causing discomfort among the coaching staff and the fans. Facing this situation, Guillermo Salas, the coach of César Vallejo, expressed his discontent in the press conference after the match, making it clear that he seeks players committed and willing to give their all for the team. The coach mentioned that Guerrero did not have physical problems that prevented his participation in the match, and the decision not to play was made by the player himself. In this context, Paolo Guerrero's attitude has sparked an intense debate in the Peruvian football scene, calling into question his professionalism, commitment, and leadership on and off the field. Meanwhile, football fans in the country continue to analyze and discuss this controversial episode involving one of the most emblematic players of the Peruvian national team.